The Legal Aid for Workers Programme (LAWP)

Launched on 1st May 2008 by H.E the President, the main focus of the COFTU Legal Aid for Workers' Programme is the promotion and protection of labour rights in Uganda, thereby enhancing access to justice and the rule of Law through legal Advice, assistance, education and representation in the world of work. The Programme undertakes its operations and activities through the legal aid clinics at the Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU) Secretariat in Kampala and regional offices in Mbarara, Hoima, Gulu, Lira, Arua and Mbale as well as through satellite centres, mobile clinics and outreaches.

Vision

A society where labor rights are respected and observed in the world of work.

Mission

Promoting and protecting the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized workers through empowerment of communities and individuals in Uganda.

Aims and Objectives

The overall objective of the programme is to promote good governance and the rule of law by promoting awareness of rights and access to justice in the world of work in Uganda.

The specific objectives of the project are to:

Provide accessible legal aid services to indigent workers.

Improve the respect for human rights and rule of law in the workplace by sensitizing workers and employers on their rights and obligations, the law and policies governing employment in Uganda.

Contribute to improving the accessibility to justice by indigent workers, orphans and other vulnerable children of Uganda through provision of legal advice, education, mediation, legal representation and strengthening referrals.

Improve policy and legislation through lobbying and advocacy for fair laws governing workers and employers, indigent women and children and which act in favour of the working poor.

Strengthen industrial relations through establishing mechanisms for dialogue between, workers, workers' organisations and employers, negotiating terms and conditions of work on behalf of specified categories of workers, including those recruited as casual labourers.

Enhance the collection, processing and dissemination of information, improving the ability of COFTU to use the information to address clients' needs effectively and appropriately through the establishment of an electronic database system.

To improve awareness about child protection and rights and strengthen needed structures, systems, tools and core competencies to plan, manage and deliver OVC services.

Key Activities

1. Legal Aid Services

Providing legal advice and assistance through legal aid clinics, mobile services, satellite centres and outreaches.

2. Legal Education and Training

Carrying out legal education and training.

3. Court Representation

Providing court representation to indigent workers, working women and children.

4. Resource Centres

Establishing resource centres on labour legal issues.

5. Networking and Referral

Strengthening networking and referral.

6. Sensitization Workshops

Conducting sensitization workshops for workers, employers and justice agencies.

7. Media Programmes

Organizing radio and television programmes.

8. Information Materials

Producing and disseminating posters, booklets, flyers, simplified versions of labour laws and other IEC resources materials.

9. Policy Review and Research

Policy review and legal research.

10. Position Papers

Commissioning position papers.

11. Policy Debates and Dialogue

Carrying out policy debates, public hearings and dialogue.

12. Collective Bargaining Support

Supporting the establishment and maintenance of mechanisms for dialogue between workers and employers and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

13. Electronic Database

Establishing electronic client database.

14. Advocacy and Lobbying

Lobby, advocate and mainstream productive and fair labour policies and legislation.

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